I press against the wall near the hidden entrance, a little surprised yet very relieved to discover it still exists. They’d been built during prohibition but were long out of use by the time my family bought it. I think most had forgotten them, but my brothers and I had discovered them as kids and used them when we wanted to sneak out. We’d used one at the back of the house the night we escaped. This one was located at the side of the house and led through the basement.
Through the trees, I catch glimpses of my brothers creating chaos at the front gates. Phoenix’s tactical genius shows as they draw attention without revealing themselves. The guards rush toward the commotion, leaving this side of the property exposed.
I do my best to be patient as I wait for Ronan to take the bait. After ten years of planning, he’s finally within reach. I could end this tonight.
But Lucy’s safety has to come first. Lucy is brave, but I can’t imagine she’s not terrified, assuming she’s still alive.
The front door is thrown open and Ronan strides out. “What the fuck is going on?”
For a minute, I hesitate. He’s right there. I could take him out here and now.
‘Sir, there’s multiple intruders at the gate. They’ve taken down four men—”
“You’re a bunch of incompetent fools,” Ronan snarls.
It’s working. My brothers will keep him busy while I get to Lucy. I slip through the secret door and make my way to the basement. As I sneak through the house, I wonder if this is how Ronan’s men breached our security. Had this same passage let killers into my childhood home?
A muffled sound comes from a room at the other end of the basement. I want to call out, but I can’t be sure that Ronan hasn’t left someone behind to watch her.
I move as quickly as I can without making a sound. A shadow moves ahead. I press against the wall, pulling out my knife, as a gun would warn others of my presence.
I wait a moment and then move. He sees me, but before he can shout, I’m on him, one hand clamped over his mouth while I bury my knife into his gut with an upward motion. He thrashes, but I hold tight until he goes limp.
I hurry into the room. Lucy’s head snaps up at my entrance. ‘Flint?’ Her voice cracks. She wasn’t expecting me. Doesn’t she know I’ll move heaven and earth to protect her?
I rush to her, knife already working at the ropes. ‘I’ve got you. You’re safe now.’
The bindings fall away. Her blue eyes lock with mine, brimming with tears. Before I can stop myself, I cup her face, thumbs brushing her cheeks. ‘Are you hurt?’
She shakes her head, pressing into my touch. ‘I should have listened to you.’
Yes, you should have. But now isn’t the time for reprimands. ‘Later.’ I help her stand, steadying her when she sways. ‘We need to move.’
She grabs my arm, fingers digging in. ‘I’m sorry. For everything.’
The raw emotion in her voice hits me squarely in the chest. I pull her close, breathing in her scent. For a moment, I just hold her, letting her presence calm the panic that’s been driving me since I realized she was taken. She’s alive. She’s safe. I can protect her.
A distant yell reminds me we’re not done yet. I reluctantly pull back, though I keep hold of her hand. ‘My brothers are creating a diversion, but we need to go. Now.’
She squeezes my fingers and nods, determination replacing fear in her eyes. We navigate the narrow corridor. Lucy’s breath comes in short gasps, but she keeps pace. We exit from the secret side entrance. Lucy stumbles, and I steady her, pulling her into the cover of dense shrubbery.
In the distance, chaos is still erupting. Cops will likely be here soon, so we need to hurry. I lead her through the shadows toward where I parked my car. I help Lucy into the passenger seat, scanning the property one last time. Ronan still breathes freely, still sleeps in the house built on my family’s ashes. But not for long. Next time, he’ll pay for everything.
As I drive away, I pull out my phone and send a quick text.
Got her. Clear out.
It isn’t until we’re in the safehouse my brothers and I agreed to meet up at that I let out a breath.
I pull Lucy into my arms. “You okay?”
“I am now?” Her arms band around me like I’m her anchor. If only she’d hold me forever like that.
Moments later, my brothers arrive.
“Oh, my fucking God, did you see them? It was like watching The Three Stooges the way they ran around.” Blaise is running high on the mission.
“They’re certainly not as organized as I’d expect,” Phoenix says, and I know he’s storing that tidbit away for future reference.
“You two okay?” Ash asks us.
“Yes. He was right there… I could have…”
“Your mission was her,” Ash says. “We’ll get Ronan next time.”
Lucy grips my shirt. “I have him on tape. He told me everything.”
My brow furrows. “What?”
“Well, not tape… that’s an expression. But my phone recorder was on.”
“Isn’t that illegal?” Blaise asks.
“Not if there’s consent,” Phoenix says.
Lucy looks a little chagrined. “I didn’t have consent—”
“Well, well, well… Miss Lucy is a little lawbreaker,” Blaise teases. “Welcome to the club.”
I imagine Lucy would argue that her indiscretion was different from ours, but there is a debate to be had about when it’s okay to break the law.
“What did he say?” Phoenix asks. My three brothers are all looking at her intently. I can’t deny I want to know too, but maybe they could give her time to catch her breath.
“He told me about the fire. About a secret access a young woman who worked for you told him about.”
I guess she doesn’t need time.
“What woman?” Phoenix demands.
“Jenna. She worked…no, her mother worked on the property. Groundskeeper.”
My brothers and I all stare at each other.
“Who is Jenna?” Blaise asks.
“Hart was the groundskeeper,” Phoenix says as he begins to pace, his mind whirring. “She had a daughter… but she was just a kid. She couldn’t have been more than twelve or thirteen. Why would she be telling Ronan about a secret entrance?”
“She has a crush on him,” Lucy says.
“He was what? Nineteen? Twenty?” I’m trying to make sense of this as well.
“I had a crush on a teacher when I was thirteen. He was probably twenty-five,” Lucy chimes in. “I don’t think it’s odd, and Ronan does have a way about him.”
I whip my gaze to her. “You think Ronan is handsome?”
“No.” She shudders. “I’m just saying, he could charm a woman into giving him information, especially a young one with a crush.”
“She betrayed us. Our parents’ blood is on her hands,” Blaise hisses. “She pays too.”
“Where’s your phone?” Phoenix asks.
“He took it, but this uploads automatically to a secure cloud server. I started recording the moment I walked into his office.’ A hint of pride colors her tone. Silly woman almost got killed but she’s proud of herself.
I let out a surprised laugh. ‘You brilliant, reckless woman.’
‘I know it was stupid going in there.’ She touches my arm. ‘But now we have proof. Real, concrete evidence of what the Keans did to your family.’
‘You’re amazing.’ The words slip out before I can stop them.
She squeezes my arm. ‘We’re going to bring them down, Flint. The right way. With evidence that will stick in court.’
That I’m not so sure of. I know, as my brothers do, that it will take more than Ronan’s bragging to bring the family down. Not if he has important people in his pocket.
But I understand now that her actions today were an attempt to save me from myself. To bring the Keans down legally, not with vigilante justice.
‘Thank you,’ I whisper, covering her hand with mine. ‘You should get some rest. You’ll stay here for now.” How do I tell her that she won’t be able to go home until Ronan Kean is dealt with, as he’ll surely come after her?
‘Flint.’ The way she says my name, my real name, makes me so ridiculously happy. “I’m sorry—”
I shake my head. “It’s done and over. You rest.”
“It’s not over yet.” Ash steps forward, his expression grim. ‘Ronan knows who you are now, Lucy. He’ll come after you.’ His eyes meet mine. ‘She won’t be safe anywhere except with us.’
Fuck. I was hoping to save that discussion until later. Not that I don’t want to keep Lucy close, because I do. I want to wake up beside her. Want to see her smile over morning coffee. Want to build something real beyond the revenge that’s consumed me for so long.
‘He’s right,’ I say softly, rubbing my hand on her arm as if that will soothe the hard reality of her situation. ‘You’ll need to stay somewhere secure, at least until we can deal with the Keans.’
She turns those fierce blue eyes on me, and my breath catches. ‘And after?’
The question hangs between us, loaded with possibility. My brothers exchange knowing looks, but I barely notice them. All I can see is Lucy. All I can think about is the future I never dared imagine before she crashed into my life.
‘After,’ I echo, reaching for her hand, ‘depends on what you want.’
My hands feel clammy as I turn to Lucy. The weight of my brothers’ stares presses against my back, but I focus only on her face, searching for any sign she might want the same future I envision.
‘I know it’s complicated,’ I start, my voice rougher than intended. ‘My life isn’t exactly what most people dream of. But being with you these past weeks…’ I swallow hard, forcing myself to continue. ‘You make me think about tomorrow instead of just dwelling on yesterday.’
“Aww… sweet,” Blaise teases.
“Grow up, Blaise. Come on, let’s give them a minute,” Ash says.
My brothers’ presence fades away. The room narrows to just me and Lucy, to this moment where everything I never knew I wanted hangs in the balance.
‘I’m asking if you could see yourself staying. Not just until this is over, but… after. With me.’
Lucy’s eyes widen slightly, but she remains silent. The pause stretches between us until I can barely stand it.
‘Flint, I…’ She trails off, uncertainty written across her features.
Lucy’s hand trembles in mine, and I fight the urge to pull her closer, to convince her with actions rather than words. But I’ve pushed too many times already. I need her to want me, to accept me fully.
She bites her lip, looking down at our still-joined hands. The hesitation in her expression cuts deep, but I can’t blame her. I’ve given her every reason to doubt me. I’ve lied, hidden who I really am, dragged her into a world of violence and revenge. How can I expect her to choose this life, to choose me?
